Bob Hitchcock OAM

From the date of his arrival in Queanbeyan in 1963 Bob has been associated with local rugby. Since his days as a player with the Whites, Bob has always been active the development of the game.

He has been a coach, coach educator, mentor, selector and Board member at club and state levels. Bob coached ACT rugby squads for nine years highlighted by matches against many interstate and international teams including Queensland, NSW, the NZ All Blacks, the British Lions, England, France and Fiji. He was honoured to be appointed national coach for the Australian Under 21s, Emerging Wallabies and Australian Women between 1990 and 2002 . He was on the coaching staff for women’s teams for two World Cups and twice has taken women’s teams to the Hong Kong

Administratively Bob initiated and conducted a number of talent identification and development projects for local players and was involved with the AIS rugby scholarship program from its inception until 1995. He developed and administered the ARU’s Level 3 Coaching Program and continues to mentor rugby coaches. He has been active in monitoring the performance of earlier World Cup candidates for the ARU. He was an accredited trainer for the International Rugby Board. He has been a member of the ACT judiciary and a number of ACT sports working groups.

He has continued to demonstrate his long term commitment to rugby with his involvement with the ACTORS (ACT Old Rugby Society)

Bob has twice been recognised as ACT Rugby Coach of the Year. He was awarded an OAM for services to rugby as well as being awarded Life Member status with both Queanbeyan and the ACT Rugby Unions.